In conjunction with Lyric Opera’s performances of Mieczysław Weinberg’s The Passenger, Lyric Unlimited is collaborating with a variety of cultural institutions to present Memory and Reckoning. A wide-ranging series of events exploring and amplifying the themes and messages of Weinberg’s important work, Memory and Reckoning includes exploratory discussions, musical performances, a film screening, and the world premiere of a newly-commissioned klezmer opera.

A Series Exploring Mieczysław Weinberg and The Passenger

lyricopera.org/memory

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PHOTO OF MIECZYSŁAW WEINBERG PROVIDED BY TOMMY PERSSON, COPYRIGHT OLGA RAKHALSKAYA

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Polish composer Wlad Marhulets has written a new chamber opera, told through the musical language of klezmer. Adapted from the acclaimed graphic novel by Rutu Modan, The Property tells the story of Regina Segal (mezzo-soprano Jill Grove) and her granddaughter Mica (soprano Anne Slovin), who travel to modern Warsaw to try to regain family property lost during World War II. As their journey unfolds, Regina is forced to confront painful truths about her past, including her history with Roman Gorski (baritone James

Maddalena). Meanwhile, Mica navigates a relationship with their Polish tour guide, Tomasz (baritone Nathaniel Olson), and realizes their reasons for coming might not be all that they seemed.

Scored for a cast of six singers and an instrumental ensemble of six players, including members of Chicago’s Maxwell Street Klezmer Band. Performed in English with some Hebrew and Polish text. Approximately 80 minutes in length; no intermission.

The Property

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Music by Wlad Marhulets, Libretto by Stephanie Fleischmann

Regina Segal: Jill GroveMica Segal: Anne SlovinRoman Gorski: James MaddalenaTomasz: Nathaniel OlsonMan: Sam HandleyWoman: Julianne Park

Original Graphic Novel by Rutu Modan.Adapted by StephanieFleischmann and EricEinhorn from the graphicnovel by Rutu Modan.

Conductor: Michael LewanskiDirector: Eric Einhorn Set Design: William BolesCostume Design: Izumi InabaLighting Design: Eric WatkinsProjection Design: Hillary Leben

Wednesday, February 25, 2015, 7:30 p.m.*Thursday, February 26, 2015, 7:30 p.m.*Friday, February 27, 2015, 1 p.m.Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts 915 East 60th Street, Hyde Park, ChicagoTickets are $20 and $25available online: lyricopera.org/property or by phone: 312-827-5600

The Property is presented in partnership with the Reva and David Logan Center for the Arts.

* Post-performance talkback with artists and University of Chicago faculty.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015, 7:30 p.m.Thursday, March 5, 2015, 7:30 p.m.The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts9501 Skokie Boulevard, SkokieTickets are $20, $25, and $40available online: NorthShoreCenter.orgor by phone: 847-673-6300

Thursday, January 29, 2015, 7:30 p.m.Northwestern University Chamber Orchestra Weinberg: Rhapsody on Moldavian Themes Weinberg: Concerto for Trumpet Tchaikovsky: Suite No. 1 in D minor, op. 43Robert G. Hasty, conductor Robert Sullivan, trumpetTickets are $6; $4 for students with valid ID

Saturday, January 31, 2015, 7:30 p.m.Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra Weinberg: Symphony No. 18 Shostakovich: Symphony No. 6Victor Yampolsky, conductorTickets are $8; $5 for students with valid ID

Both concerts at Pick-Staiger Concert Hall 50 Arts Circle Drive, EvanstonTickets available online: pickstaiger.org or by phone: 847-467-4000

Northwestern University’s Bienen School of Music features music by Weinberg in two concerts.

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Members of the Lyric Opera Orchestra perform chamber music by Weinberg and his contemporaries.

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Sunday, March 1, 2015, 2:00 p.m.Spertus Institute for Jewish Learning and Leadership 610 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago“Music in Exile” Weinberg: String Trio, Op. 48 Paul Ben-Haim: Three Songs Without Words for flute & harp Weinberg: Trio for flute, viola, and harp, Op. 127 Leo Smit: Quintet for flute, string trio, and harpLynn Williams, harp; Marie Tachouet, flute; John Macfarlane, violin; Carol Cook, viola; Calum Cook, celloMusic discussion with historian David Buch.Tickets are $18; $10 for Spertus members; $8 for students, available online: spertus.edu or by phone: 312-322-1773

Thursday, February 12, 2015, 6:30 p.m.Illinois Holocaust Museum and Education Center 9603 Woods Drive, SkokieWeinberg: String Quartet No. 4, Op. 20 Viktor Ullmann: String Quartet No. 3Heather Wittels, violin; Bing Grant, violin; Sunghee Choi, viola; Calum Cook, celloMusic discussion with historian David Buch.Tickets are $30; $20 for museum members, available online: ilholocaustmuseum.org Call 847-967-4800 with questions.

Art can be an extremely effective path to understanding and finding meaning in difficult subjects. Through these two events, Lyric Unlimited and collaborating partners seek to deepen the impact of The Passenger through discussion and music.

Saturday, February 14, 2015, 5:00 p.m.Anthony Freud, Lyric Opera of Chicago general directorKatherine Syer, associate professor of musicology, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignPerformance by the Jupiter String QuartetNelson Lee, violin; Megan Freivogel, violin; Liz Freivogel, viola; Daniel McDonough, celloKrannert Center for the Performing Arts 500 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana Free admissionSponsored by the Office of the Chancellor, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

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Sunday, February 15, 2015, 1:00 p.m.Zofia Posmysz, creator of the Passenger story and Holocaust survivor David Pountney, Passenger stage director Anthony Freud, Lyric Opera of Chicago general directorKatherine Syer, associate professor of musicology, University of Illinois at Urbana-ChampaignPerformance by members of the Lyric Opera OrchestraWeinberg: Piano Quintet, Op. 18Robert Hanford, violin; Katie Brauer, violin; Melissa Kirk, viola; Mark Brandfonbrener, cello; with Lori Kaufman, pianoPreston Bradley Hall, Chicago Cultural Center 78 East Washington Street, ChicagoAdmission is free but reservations are required. Reserve seats online: lyricopera.org/memory or by phone: 312-827-5600Presented in partnership with the Chicago Humanities Festival and the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

Memory and Reckoning and The Property are supported by an Anonymous Donor and Seymour H. Persky, with cosponsorship by Goldman, Sachs & Co., Mr. and Mrs. Eric L. Hirschfi eld, Joyce E. Chelberg, the Polish Cultural Institute New York, Penelope and Robert Steiner, and the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in Chicago, with additional support from the Katherine A. Abelson Educational Endowment Fund.

FILM

Sunday, February 8, 2015, 11:00 a.m.Gene Siskel Film Center164 North State Street, ChicagoPassenger (Pasażerka) 1963, Andrzej Munk, Poland, 62 minutes, 35mmIn Polish with English subtitlesA classic of Polish cinema, this fi lm is based on the same story that later inspired Weinberg’s opera. There will be a short talk before the screening.Tickets are $11; $6 for Gene Siskel Film Center members, available online: siskelfi lmcenter.orgor at the Film Center box offi ce

lyricopera.org/memory

Lyric Opera presentation of The Passenger is generously sponsored by Richard P. and Susan Kiphart, Sylvia Neil and Daniel Fischel, the Earl and Brenda Shapiro Foundation, Sidley Austin LLP, Manfred and Fern Steinfeld, and Helen and Sam Zell with additional support from the Adam Mickiewicz Institute as part of the Polska Music program. Lyric Unlimited was launched with major catalyst funding from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and receives major support from the Hurvis Family Foundation.

LYRIC UNLIMITEDLYRIC OPERA OF CHICAGO20 NORTH WACKER DRIVECHICAGO ILLINOIS 60606

Aboard an ocean liner in the early 1960s, a West German diplomat, Walter, and his wife Liese are bound for a new posting in Brazil. But unbeknownst to her husband, Liese served as an SS officer in Auschwitz. Haunted by her past, she is stunned when she thinks she recognizes a fellow passenger; is it really Marta, her former prisoner? The Lyric Opera of Chicago premiere of Polish-Jewish composer Mieczysław Weinberg’s opera The Passenger is February 24, 2015 and runs through March 15.

Only 6 performances.Tickets available online

lyricopera.org/passengeror by phone

312-827-5600

The Passenger by Mieczysław Weinberg

The Passenger is a co-production of Bregenzer Festspiele, Austria; Teatr Wielki Opera Narodowa Warszawa; English National Opera (ENO), London; and Teatro Real, Madrid.